Cottonwood Bark and Burl

#1 01-07-2003, 07:24 AM

Several things...
1. What is the best way to finish Cottonwood bark?
2. My brother brought me a truck load of excelent cottonwood bark and I was wondering if anyone wanted some?
3. Is Cottonwood burl good to carve or turn?

Thanks in advance....Chet

#2 01-07-2003, 08:34 AM

How thick is it? the thick stuff or thin? My wife did a carving on cot. bark and finished it with Deft spray. (also found Deft Satin at Lowes)

#3 01-07-2003, 09:52 AM

Can't comment on the cottonwood bark as I have never carved it. Have carved cottonwood wood and don't really care for it too much. Too hard to clean up. Cottonwood is not too bad to carve when it is green, it gets extremely hard when dried. Re the burl, in my humble opinion, it would probably be very good to turn but I don't know about it's checking and cracking characteristics.

A note of interest (unless you know already), the true and genuine southwestern Indian fetishes (read kachinas) (I believe Zuni) are supposed to carved from cottonwood root. That is - ROOT. I would guess the items that are manufactured for the tourism trade are made from most anything but the REAL THING, those used in genuine ceremonies (as opposed to those put on for tourists), have to be made from the cottonwood root as dictated by tradition.

Wolf K.

Bandaid · #4 01-07-2003, 11:17 AM

One quick and easy way to finish bark carvings is to use shoe polish. With so many different shades available it's not a bad choice. I often use a homemade concoction of beeswax and turps.
There are many finishes (water or oil based) that can be applied to bark, including stains, varnishes and varnishes over stain. Another choice would be to paint the image as you would any other carving.
Some carvers apply a finish to the whole piece while others just do the section that was carved. I would suggest that you take some scrap pieces and try different techniques untill you achieve the desired finish. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

#5 01-07-2003, 03:47 PM

The bark is anywhere from 1' to 4.5' thick. Most of it is aroun 2.5-3.5' thick as it came from the part of the tree lowest to the trunk. I have plenty if anyone wants some and I would be happy to ship you some but I don't have any money for shipping. If you do want some just shoot me an email and we will set it up. Thanks Sinack

#6 01-07-2003, 08:06 PM

Chet,
Yes. Cottonwood bark is really nice to carve. Just make sure your tools are good and sharp. It's soft stuff and a less than sharp tool crushes the fibers pretty easy. Makes great looking woodspirits, mountain men or Native Americans.

#7 01-12-2003, 11:49 PM

I've found cottonwood bark fun to carve. Lighthouses, castles, woodspirits and the like. Wax finishes are great and look nice. Johnson paste wax, Brewax, shoe polish...

carving. Pam

#8 01-13-2003, 02:04 AM

I just ordered a few pieces of cottonwood bark - I've been wanting to try it for awhile. Sorry I didn't see your note first, Chet :-/

I'm excited to give it a try - I just love the bark carvings I've seen around here.

Teri

#9 01-13-2003, 09:54 AM

Well don't feel to bad as I had to have the good stuff (5+' thick 10+' long 4'+ wide) site out back to dry some and to besanded and shaped before I brought it inside....went out this morning and someone had walked off with the choicest parts leaving me the scrub!.... Oh well, easy (relativly) come easy go.......Sinack

bbowers · #10 01-13-2003, 11:17 AM

Chet- I would be interested in some of your bark. My email is bbowers@kcoe.com. We can determine what I need to send you. I have carved a fair amount of cottowood bark. It is pretty soft and it dulls your tools, so you need to keep a strope handy. I finish it with oil type stains and then deft spray. The color really stands out so it just takes a hint of color to highlight.
Hope that helps someone-
Barry